BOPD

The Body Positioning Device allows continuous recording of the spine geometry used for basic research and to give addition informations for other experiments in ambulatory mode.

A fisrt generation device has already been flown during: the German-Russian MIR 97 and the French-Russian MIR 98 and 99 missions.

From these experiences the device will be minor modified.

From both in-flight and bedrest experiments a reduced amplitude of spine movements appears to be a predicator of back pain sensations.

• The frequency of changes in the spine geometry gives a measure of the verall activity of the trunk.
• Total changes in spine length can be estimated by smoothing of the 24 h raw data.

Experiences from earlier missions allows minor modification of the device. The main goals are :

• The reduction of sensors and therefor peripheral cables from 12 to 8 without the loss of any information.
• The possibility to set time-markers during an experimental run.
• A further reduction in mass and volume.